[The trace elements zinc and copper in chronic renal failure]

The serum levels of zinc and copper were investigated in 92 patients with different stages of chronic renal insufficiency. 48 patients were treated by chronic hemodialysis. With the progression of chronic renal insufficiency the serum level of zinc is reduced and the level of copper is slightly increased. In advanced chronic renal failure the hypozincemia is more markedly during conservative therapy, than in patients treated by chronic hemodialysis. In 22 patients investigations of the serum levels of zinc and copper were performed before and after a 4-hour hemodialysis. There an increase of the serum zinc level after treatment using the hemodialyzer KN 401 is striking. In 16 Patients treated by chronic hemodialysis the serum levels of zinc and copper were followed for 1 year.